Carlitos - Nice Mexican restaurant on State Street. Edomasa - Sushi. Shintori Sushi - Better sushi. Small place, always crowded, usually slow. But the fish is great. Olio Pizzeria - Good pizza, salumi, wines by the glass. Los Agaves - great Mexican food, interesting menu. You order at the register, so split checks are easy. Cielito - Upscale Mexican restaurant with small plates, and urban vibe. Really good ceviche. Nice bar as well. Sama Sama Kitchen - Creative, somewhat experimental Indonesian-inspired food. Small plates. Great food! The Lark - Hip, gastro-pub/california type place. Kind of an LA atmosphere. There is a small place attached to it "Lucky Penny", which has great pizza, salads and sandwiches. La Colmena - Great tacos, super cheap, just like in Mexico. Via Vai Trattoria - Montecito, nice outdoor area. Best pizza (very thin crust) in town. Lucky Penny is competition, but more Neapolitan style. Panino or South Coast Deli - best sandwiches in town, several locations. Empty Bowl noodle bar - Cool little noodle place in the Santa Barbara Public Market . Try Rori's salted caramel ice cream afterward. Ca Dario - Good Italian downtown. LB suggests the pasta, roasted quail, and branzino.
Good for Groups
Harry's Plaza Cafe: GIGANTIC drinks, mediocre food, interesting Santa Barbara film industry memorabilia on the walls
Julienne: local seafood and produce, homemade charcuterie, tasting menu, fun specials when they do something like purchase a whole pig. Downey's: excellent service. Elegant flavors and a dessert cart.
Isla Vista and Close to KITP
Blaze Pizza: a "fast-fired" chain Hollister Brewing Company: decent food, rotating selection of beers, happy hour. Good for watching sports. They don't take reservations. Old Town Goleta has sit-down Mexican, Taquerias, Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, Natural Cafe, a hidden bar (The Imperial), and Mercury Lounge (wine and beer) Kogilicious Korean Pho Bistro: Vietnamese Caje: best expresso in IV
Great Cocktails
Hungry Cat: also good seafood Bourbon Room: next to the Creek Side Inn, which has less outstanding drinks but offers live music, line dancing, and a great patio with horseshoe pit. The Marquee: associated with and adjoining the Granada theatre. Eureka Burger
Santa Barbara Restaurants
Carlitos - Nice Mexican restaurant on State Street.Edomasa - Sushi.
Shintori Sushi - Better sushi. Small place, always crowded, usually slow. But the fish is great.
Olio Pizzeria - Good pizza, salumi, wines by the glass.
Los Agaves - great Mexican food, interesting menu. You order at the register, so split checks are easy.
Cielito - Upscale Mexican restaurant with small plates, and urban vibe. Really good ceviche. Nice bar as well.
Sama Sama Kitchen - Creative, somewhat experimental Indonesian-inspired food. Small plates. Great food!
The Lark - Hip, gastro-pub/california type place. Kind of an LA atmosphere. There is a small place attached to it "Lucky Penny", which has great pizza, salads and sandwiches.
La Colmena - Great tacos, super cheap, just like in Mexico.
Via Vai Trattoria - Montecito, nice outdoor area. Best pizza (very thin crust) in town. Lucky Penny is competition, but more Neapolitan style.
Panino or South Coast Deli - best sandwiches in town, several locations.
Empty Bowl noodle bar - Cool little noodle place in the Santa Barbara Public Market . Try Rori's salted caramel ice cream afterward.
Ca Dario - Good Italian downtown. LB suggests the pasta, roasted quail, and branzino.
Good for Groups
Harry's Plaza Cafe: GIGANTIC drinks, mediocre food, interesting Santa Barbara film industry memorabilia on the wallsBeachside Bar & Cafe, down the hill from KITP overlooking Goleta beach.
Special Occasions
Julienne: local seafood and produce, homemade charcuterie, tasting menu, fun specials when they do something like purchase a whole pig.Downey's: excellent service. Elegant flavors and a dessert cart.
Isla Vista and Close to KITP
Blaze Pizza: a "fast-fired" chainHollister Brewing Company: decent food, rotating selection of beers, happy hour. Good for watching sports. They don't take reservations.
Old Town Goleta has sit-down Mexican, Taquerias, Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, Natural Cafe, a hidden bar (The Imperial), and Mercury Lounge (wine and beer)
Kogilicious Korean
Pho Bistro: Vietnamese
Caje: best expresso in IV
Great Cocktails
Hungry Cat: also good seafoodBourbon Room: next to the Creek Side Inn, which has less outstanding drinks but offers live music, line dancing, and a great patio with horseshoe pit.
The Marquee: associated with and adjoining the Granada theatre.
Eureka Burger
Other listings
Goleta https://www.gogoleta.com/taste/Santa Barbara Dining: http://santabarbaraca.com/plan-your-trip/food-drink/Santa Barbara - Harley’s Dining Guide: harley.com/santa-barbara/
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